Hanks Fight Night 4 Wishlist |
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Written by Henry Dyck
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Friday, 20 June 2008 |
With EA’s announcement of Fight Night Round 4 I thought I’d write a small piece on what kinds of things I’d like to see EA Vancouver tackle in order to make this the best boxing game on the market.
I’m realistic enough to know that about 90% of this will never make it into Round 4, but it’s food for thought and I hope EA is hungry. (translation: this is way too long but maybe someone on this planet would like it)
Let’s start with the Gameplay:
There must be more emphasis placed on physics and attributes in regards to how fighters react to punches. In previous iterations of the Fight Night series, gimmick punches such as flash knockdowns or knockouts could be implemented. This meant that if these punches were executed successfully, the attributes associated with both fighters, in regards to power, defense or chin paid little consequence on whether or not there would be a knockdown or knockout. Want to make pillow-handed Chris Byrd a knockout artist? With these specialty punches that’s not a problem. Want to see your iron-chinned fighter get floored again and again? No problem.
That’s why the producers for Round 4 must take more variables into account when it comes to knockdowns, knockouts or even flash KO’s. Power, stamina, defense, what angle the punch is landing from; these all need consideration.
Not only that, but we need to see different ratings for various punches from all fighters. In almost every boxing game, if a fighter has 95 for power, that means he has tremendous strength in every punch he throws; a left-hook, right-cross, jab or uppercut.
But watch any fight and you’ll see that it’s not always the case. Oscar De La Hoya has an incredible left-hook. However, anyone that follows the sport knows his right hand is weak.
Adding ratings to each individual punch, per fighter, will add to the realism of the game as well as giving a new dynamic to strategy.
Going up against a short, strong opponent who is a great inside fighter? Utilize a strong jab to keep him on the outside.
Your opponent has a powerful right hand, but not much else? Keep him circling to his left so he can’t land that big shot.
Maybe your opponent has weak stamina. So you’ll want to take him into the later rounds to where he’ll be gassed and prime for a late round stoppage.
Injuries are also something that should occur from time to time. From fractured hands, to separated shoulders to a broken jaw. All can play a role in how you perform in a fight.
Career Mode:
Training, training, training. I’m exhausted with the same old tired button sequenced training that nearly every boxing game has instituted since the beginning of time.
What I want to see is something very close to what Victorious Boxers 2 (the Japanese Import) was able to accomplish.
You have a calendar of each day of the week and you fill it up with various activities from sparring to running to what kinds of meals you eat.
There should be a healthy balance of rest and preparation. Work your fighter too hard and he might be fatigued for his bout. Feed him meals that are heavy on carbs or fat and he might not make weight. All of these options should be available to the gamer.
And of course, your trainer should be able to give you advice in each of these categories. That’s where each trainer should also have strengths and weaknesses.
As you gain money and popularity better trainers will become available to you.
Along with the above I’d love to see a multiplayer career mode. One where you and a friend can create a number of boxers to compete at the same time. Evander Holyfield boxing for the Sega Genesis had this, so why is it so difficult to add for next-gen consoles?
Multiple belts. I don’t care if they’re fictional, just give us the option. Struggling to unify a title or even hide from a fellow champion who might be too strong would create an incredible array of possibilities.
Every…single…weight…class. I mentioned diet previously and this is where this should come into play. Your boxer’s weight is in your hands. Want to move up weight? Eat more.
Has your boxer grown heavy from a long layoff, get him on the treadmill.
Age should also be factored in. As your fighter gets older, his weight should be harder to keep under control. It’ll make for a more interesting career when, in your twilight, you’re forced to move up weight and survive against bigger and stronger opponents.
Promoters and Managers:
Hire and fire who manages and promotes you. Maybe your manager isn’t so great and he signs you to a fight you’re not ready for. Or perhaps he’s holding you back, keeping you from a title shot that might never come around again. As Mr.George Washington Duke said in Rocky V “You’re watchin’ the parade go by!”
Promoters will also play a pivotal role in your career as they can either keep you on the outside or in the dark. With a Don King type promoter on your side, you might get a title shot earlier. Or they might be able to spin the media to your advantage, making the public believe you’re a better fighter than you are, raising PPV sales.
Of course, it could go the other way. Refusing to sign with a top promoter might result in never getting the due you deserve or getting screwed on a close fight. Promoters have ties to judges so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’re on the wrong side of a split-decision.
Managerial Mode:
Another mode of play that I’d love to see in a console boxing game is where you take the role as a Manager.
You start off by having a random, small stable of fighters in a slum of a gym.
As your fighters improve and you make money, you can upgrade your facilities as well as attract higher profile boxers.
Each fighter will have personality traits that will prevent life from becoming dull. Perhaps you have a great middleweight prospect that has a tremendous package of skills. But he loves the nightlife and hates training. You must do your best to allow him the freedom to live his life while also trying to get the most out of his career.
Or maybe you have a young fighter that you have to kick out of the gym. He’s hard working and honest, but his quiet, all-business persona hurts his marketability.
Losing boxers to rival managers is also a reality. Hold a fighter back or pit him against an opponent that is too strong for him, resulting in a loss, might encourage a few of your sheep to stray from the flock.
Finally, a popularity meter that measures your public standing both locally and nationally.
Here's an example of how both can be handled:
You have a stable of fighters with some being good, some tomato cans and one great up and coming welterweight. The local star attraction of your gym is a big lug of a heavyweight that knocks out all the local tomato cans you set up for him. But he rarely fights out of his area and he's never going to be good enough to even be a top contender. However, your welterweight has all the tools for the big-time but he can't get any exposure as he hasn't had a shot to fight anyone good and he lacks power which hurts him in local popularity. The big heavyweight is a big attraction to local fights and the tickets he helps sell keep the heat and water running at your club.
Along comes a slick promoter (see Don King) who has an up and coming heavyweight of his own. He sees your heavyweight’s impressive KO record and how he can draw in good crowds at the local civic centre. So he offers you a chance to have your HW take on his prospect on "Boxing After Dark" via ESPN. As a manager you have some choices. You know that your HW is being lead to the slaughter in order to promote King’s prospect. But King says that he will let your flashy young welterweight fight a decent fighter on the undercard. This will give great exposure for your only true diamond and could possibly springboard him to more top 10 opponents, national exposure and possibly a title shot. All of this could help pay the bills and entice top amateur prospects in hiring you as their manager. However, you risk losing your HW if he's embarrassed on national TV. He might leave which will kill your local ticket sales. And what if your young welterweight loses? Then you'll lose all around.
It’s these kinds of decisions that will need to be made as the manager of your gym.
That’s all for now. I’d love to hear some of your ideas in the ConsoleSports.net forums...
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 June 2008 )
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